PASSION TO PROFESSION: WOMEN LEADERS LEADING THE CHANGE

Women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles across real estate and other industries once dominated by men, turning passion into lasting impact. Recounting her roots, Major Aditi Mohan, Head of Establishment, India and Future of Workplace, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd., shared, “I’m a former officer from the Indian Army’s Service Corps, raised in a defence family – my father served for three decades and retired as a colonel in Air Defence. Continuing that legacy, I’m married to an army officer, and for the past 30 years, I’ve been in the corporate world.”

Anamika Gupta, Managing Director, Table Space Technologies, shared her background, “Over the last 20 years, my career has spanned multiple industries, all tied together by real estate – starting in hospitality, moving to hotel development, and spending the past nine years in commercial real estate. I joined my current organization at its inception and have been part of its growth from the ground up; today, our managed office model is a recognized asset class, widely adopted for its flexibility and resilience.”

Charu Thapar, ED - Property & Asset Management, APAC, Head - Strategy, Platform & Emerging Markets India, Indonesia, Thailand & Philippines, JLL, informed, “I started my career in hospitality before moving into real estate, where I spent a significant part of my journey in asset services, including leading property and asset management for JLL across four countries. The transformation in real estate over the past two decades has been remarkable, with COVID accelerating the shift toward more dynamic, technology-driven service delivery.” The gender diversity in workforce is not just changing the face of the industries, especially real estate, but also challenging long-standing norms around leadership, growth and inclusion, concurred Khurshed Gandhi- Managing Director, Strategic Consulting, Cushman & Wakefield India

Practice patience, Practice patience, because good things because good things come with time; come with time; Persevere, because Persevere, because failure is a setup for success; failure is a setup for success; and Purity of character shows and Purity of character shows intent. intent. – Major Aditi Mohan

Redefining Leadership Through Resilience
Elaborating on how she transitioned from a structured start to a completely different role at Coca Cola, Major Aditi Mohan said, “Joining the Indian Armed Forces was never part of my original plan – I was a good student aiming for an MBA – but a powerful moment watching my sister in olive green command respect at a railway station changed my life and led me into service, including the Kargil War. The Army instilled deep discipline, structure, and resilience in me, and stepping out of that world into civilian life was a jolt. My move to the corporate world in 2004 wasn’t easy; I didn’t even know what a résumé was, and early interviews were tough, often met with rejection or condescension, especially because I was a woman from the services. I was told to “go softer,” to enter support roles, and even encouraged to try BPOs – until someone reminded me that my strengths lay in infrastructure, logistics, and leadership. The transition demanded unlearning old hierarchies, adapting to new systems, and completing over 20 soft skills trainings just to get my footing. Looking back now, it’s been a humbling, at times painful, but ultimately rewarding journey that taught me to rebuild from scratch without ever letting go of my core identity.”

When you find When you find something, you something, you genuinely enjoy genuinely enjoy and are curious about, and are curious about, that’s when real personal and that’s when real personal and professional growth begins. professional growth begins. – Anamika Gupta

Anamika Gupta said, “For me, creating impact is about leaving a lasting impression on everyone I meet – whether it’s a college student, a friend’s sibling, or someone just starting out in their career. I make it a point to share how real estate, often overlooked by top graduates, is actually a complex, dynamic industry that demands smart, driven professionals. Internally, I influence through everyday conversations by showcasing the depth and potential of this field and sparking curiosity about what’s possible within it.

Externally, I focus on mentoring second- and third-line leaders in my organization, helping them see that success in real estate requires grit, perseverance, and the ability to shape markets – not just follow them. For women especially, breaking into this close-knit industry isn’t easy, but by putting my journey out there openly, I hope to inspire others to see what’s possible and feel encouraged to take the leap.” Charu Thapar said, “Let me start with a quick anecdote – in 1996, while working with the Taj Group after studying hotel management, I was approached by the Australian MD of Colliers Jardine, who told me something that stayed with me: real estate is just another form of client servicing. That insight led me to switch industries, though even today, real estate remains predominantly male dominated, with a sharp drop-off in female representation as you move up the ladder. Organizations need to recognize and actively support women through key life stages – marriage, motherhood, raising teenagers, and caring for aging parents – so their careers don’t stall at these common turning points.”

Don’t take yourself Don’t take yourself too seriously – have too seriously – have a sense of humor, a sense of humor, especially when facing especially when facing bias, because not everything bias, because not everything needs to be a battle. needs to be a battle. – Charu Thapar

Khurshed Gandhi summed up as saying, “indeed for women professionals, it hasn’t been easy climbing the corporate ladder. The workplace transformations need to continue, led by leaders on top to smoothen the way for young professionals.”

Fearless Voices, Powerful Impact
Around the year 2000, real estate began to shift noticeably – in commercial leasing, the demand grew for professionals who were well-groomed and articulate. Anamika Gupta stated, “This change brought many hoteliers, including myself, into the industry, but if women only enter through these soft-skill-driven roles, their growth potential becomes limited. To truly advance, women must enter real estate with the right education and strong financial acumen, as it’s a complex, finance heavy industry where surface-level knowledge won’t take you far.”

Major Aditi Mohan agreed, “For me, it’s always been simple: show up, be visible, be fearless, and stay true to who you are. Throughout my career – from leading COVID task forces to mobilizing relief during the Kerala floods – I stepped out of my comfort zone not for recognition, but because doing the right thing matters. The mantra I live byis built on three P’s: Patience, because good things come with time; Perseverance, because failure is a setup for success; and Purity, of character and intent – because in the end, your integrity defines your legacy.”

Charu Thapar added, “I’d like to share three thoughts. First, be confident and put your family first – say it clearly at work, and own it, because men do this all the time without hesitation and with pride. Second, build a circle outside of work – friends you can talk to about anything but work; these connections are vital for your mental well-being. And third, don’t take yourself too seriously – have a sense of humor, especially when facing bias; often, your resilience and perspective are enough to carry you through.” Anamika Gupta added, “We are all shaped by our experiences, and it’s perfectly fine if your career doesn’t align with what you originally studied – nothing you learn is ever wasted. The key is to discover what truly resonates with you. When you find something, you genuinely enjoy and are curious about, that’s when real personal and professional growth begins.” Khurshed Gandhi advised, “Many IT and consulting firms now run successful “back to work” programs for women returning after career breaks, and the real estate sector must also step up and implement such support systems more actively.”

Many leading Many leading companies now companies now have flexible policies have flexible policies that help retain women, that help retain women, and COVID has only accelerated and COVID has only accelerated remote work, making continued remote work, making continued participation more feasible. participation more feasible. – Khurshed Gandhi

The Future Of Work Is Evolving
The new age workplace and the role of female leaders is influencing the economic landscape. Khurshed Gandhi commented, “AI and technology will significantly shape the future of work and how our workspaces adapt to our needs, making it essential to learn how to use these tools effectively.” Charu Thapar said, “For women in the workforce, it’s important to keep learning, and embrace changes with resilience and purpose.” Anamika Gupta concurred, “The nature of work has fundamentally changed and it’s crucial to accept and adapt to that shift to stay relevant., Major Aditi Mohan concluded saying: accountability, ownership, collaboration and diversity & inclusion are crucial in shaping the future of work.”